MN - Justine Damond, 40, fatally shot by Minneapolis LE, 15 July 2017 #2

[Jennifer17]

Justine was not an immigrant. She holds dual citizenship. Her father is American.

 

[jjenny]

I wonder what type of more evidence is needed????? He killed an innocent unarmed woman who called 911 for help. I’m beginning to believe this is political. It’s so frustrating; I can only imagine what her family is feeling. I don't understand either how he is allowed to kill and nothing has happened to him. Is it because he's in LE. If a private citizen had shot Justine in that alley would he also be walking around free? RIP sweet Justine.

Exactly. As far as I know, nobody is disputing he shot and killed her. What evidence does DA think he needs?

 

[jjenny]

Why do they need a confession? Is there any doubt that he shot her? If he is not talking, he has given no defence and should be charged. I really don't understand how you can kill someone and not be charged because you wont answer questions.

And they have his partner in the car as a witness. I don't understand what evidence does DA think he would need.

 

[jjenny]

I just can't imagine what additional evidence Freeman is expecting to get. Noor isn't talking, and thats not going to change. Its very common for a potential defendant to not talk, so I don't know why Freeman made such a big deal about that.

And as prosecutor he should be fully aware that a suspect isn't obligated to talk.

 

[sumzero]

He’s probably waiting for evidence, any evidence, that would allow him to exonerate the officer.

 

[turaj]

He’s probably waiting for evidence, any evidence, that would allow him to exonerate the officer.

yes for sure he is not waiting for any more information on the actual shooting..boy I wonder what that partner said...my feeling is he must be backing up Noor and indicating some real reasons for Noor to act that with that quick impulsive shot. Noor will probably move somewhere else at least I hope he does...not wanted on this police force any more.

 

[lonetraveler]

Short of an all out confession from Noor who is not talking...what will move the dial to get justice given this kind of statement?
"Freeman said last week he did not have enough evidence to charge Noor" this phrase has been repeated many times in local media and frankly is the decision....are they running a "trial balloon" to see the reaction? or just paving the way...no matter how you look at it a big failure in justice.

IMO, there isn't any more evidence to gather so he, for all intent and purposes, has given his answer. The answer is, that Noor is not going to be charged due to lack of evidence.

 

[Cobra Jet]

This reminded me of this case:
I was watching Law & Order this morning and the two detectives were talking to a suspect. The second he said I’m not speaking without a lawyer they broke the handcuffs out. Now I know this is only a TV show but I’m sure that the producers have expert advisors to help add realism to the show. If Noor will not talk and tell his side of the story I see no reason not to arrest him so they can start to gather more evidence. At least that what I suspect they would do with a regular citizen. Have the police completely stopped caring how they look when they seem to be protecting their own?

So if I get in a jam with the law all I have to do is not talk and that's like kryptonite to the police and prosecutors. Is that how it works?

Coming from a person that considers himself pro law enforcement.

 

[MzOpinion8d]

This reminded me of this case:
I was watching Law & Order this morning and the two detectives were talking to a suspect. The second he said I’m not speaking without a lawyer they broke the handcuffs out. Now I know this is only a TV show but I’m sure that the producers have expert advisors to help add realism to the show. If Noor will not talk and tell his side of the story I see no reason not to arrest him so they can start to gather more evidence. At least that what I suspect they would do with a regular citizen. Have the police completely stopped caring how they look when they seem to be protecting their own?

So if I get in a jam with the law all I have to do is not talk and that's like kryptonite to the police and prosecutors. Is that how it works?

Coming from a person that considers himself pro law enforcement.

Actually yes, refusing to talk is very much like Kryptonite in many cases. In this case it is clearly a matter of protecting their own. They have an eyewitness, forensic evidence, ballistics, all of that which would have an average citizen behind bars and well on his way to trial by now.

 

[MaryG12]

Precisely why I advocate that every woman carry a can of mace on them.

 

[colette]

Precisely why I advocate that every woman carry a can of mace on them.

A gun is better, just sayin.

 

[turaj]

I am pleased to report that I am reading that supporters for Justice for Justine plan protests for the Super Bowl...I don't know if they will even get an opportunity because as discussed already new media tapping down any negative reports and police will be instructed to keep them out of view. Hope they get the word out.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

I am pleased to report that I am reading that supporters for Justice for Justine plan protests for the Super Bowl...I don't know if they will even get an opportunity because as discussed already new media tapping down any negative reports and police will be instructed to keep them out of view. Hope they get the word out.

Security for the Super Bowl is going to be extremely tight. I don’t think a protest will get anywhere near US Bank Stadium or any of the planned activities. JMO

 

[turaj]

Security for the Super Bowl is going to be extremely tight. I don’t think a protest will get anywhere near US Bank Stadium or any of the planned activities. JMO

probably not but I applaud their efforts.

 

[Trident]

probably not but I applaud their efforts.

Maybe they should hire the Goodyear blimp to trail a "JUSTICE FOR JUSTINE" banner over the stadium.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Maybe they should hire the Goodyear blimp to trail a "JUSTICE FOR JUSTINE" banner over the stadium.

I think something like this would be much more effective and it doesn’t give off a negative vibe like protests sometimes do. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if the fly zone in that area was restricted.

 

[Bohemian]

Justine Damond: Minnesota prosecutor convenes grand jury over shooting of former Sydney woman
ABC News [Australia]
UPDATED 45 MINUTES AGO [as at 09:45 AEDT 25 January 2028]

‘A Minnesota prosecutor has convened a grand jury in the police shooting of Australian woman Justine Damond.’

‘Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said previously he would no longer use grand juries in police shootings, and would decide those cases himself.

Fred Bruno, the lawyer for Mr Noor's partner Matthew Harrity, told the Star Tribune that Mr Harrity got a grand jury subpoena on Wednesday (local time).

Mr Freeman's office said in a statement it could not comment on grand juries because they were secret, but that Mr Freeman would be the one to decide on charges.’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-...nes-grand-jury-in-justine-damond-case/9360004

 

[K_Z]

News agencies picking up the story of the Grand Jury:

Freeman Convening Grand Jury In Justine Damond Case

After saying late last year that he needed more time to decide on whether to bring charges against Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor in the shooting death of Justine Damond, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman appears to be convening a grand jury in order to gather more evidence.

On Wednesday, officer Matthew Harrity, who was with Noor the night of the shooting, was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury, his attorney told The Star Tribune.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/01/24/justine-damond-grand-jury/

(BBM)

Grand jury apparently convened in Minneapolis police killing of Justine Damond

https://www.twincities.com/2018/01/...minneapolis-police-killing-of-justine-damond/

http://www.startribune.com/freeman-convening-grand-jury-in-justine-damond-shooting/470932303/

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is convening a grand jury as part of the process to decide whether to file charges against Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor in the 2017 shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk.

Minneapolis attorney Bob Bennett, who's representing Ruszczyk's family, confirmed the existence of a grand jury.

Later in the day, Lt. Bob Kroll, president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, said that grand jury subpoenas are being issued to officers.

Officers will "fully cooperate" in the grand jury process, Kroll said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the Federation cannot answer the obvious question the media is asking: How can County Attorney Freeman retain charging authority while simultaneously submitting the case to a grand jury? Only Mr. Freeman can answer this."

Asked if he knew how many officers have received subpoenas, Kroll said he didn't know how many had been served but heard that 35 to 40 were going out.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/...szczyk-grand-jury-police-shooting-minneapolis

 

[K_Z]

The huge question is whether the public will ever know what the Grand Jury decides, based on whether or not Mike Freeman charges Noor. This is new territory. It must be a helluva mess if Freeman is sending what he has to a GJ at this late date. We already know Freeman expressed frustration with the investigation a few weeks ago.

With the Jamar Clark case, Freeman said he'd never again use a GJ for officer involved shootings, and with that case, he added an "advisor" to help him make the decision.

Why Jamar Clark's case didn't go to a grand jury

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/01/17/mike-freeman-on-transparency-and-racial-divides

No grand jury in Jamar Clark case, prosecutor says 'this is my job'

http://www.fox9.com/news/prosecutor-to-discuss-process-of-jamar-clark-decision

If Freeman doesn't charge Noor, will we know what the GJ decided?

If he DOES charge Noor, will we know what the GJ decided?

If Noor is not charged by Freeman, will federal civil rights investigation/ charges proceed?

 

[K_Z]

Hennepin County Attorney's office statement today on the Grand Jury:

(Note that it's exceedingly short.)

Statement on officer-involved shooting and grand jury

It has been reported that several witnesses have been subpoenaed before a grand jury as part of the investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Justine Damond Ruszcyzk. Because grand jury proceedings are secret, we cannot comment on grand jury subpoenas or any testimony that occurs before a grand jury.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman will continue the office’s two-year-old policy where he makes the decision on whether or not to bring charges in officer-involved shootings.

We will have no further comment.

https://www.hennepinattorney.org/news/news/2018/january/statement-damond-grandjury

Interesting. They're not really denying that a GJ is in progress. So Freeman is "officially" just sort of asking the GJ for an opinion/ input, that he might take into consideration, or not? Like using a focus group or something? This is very, very odd.

And he can choose to release, or suppress, whatever they recommend, based on the secrecy of the GJ? Is he even asking them to make a determination?? Or is this just a chummy brownbag roundtable discussion?

I'm getting a sense that this could possibly be on shaky legal ground. Especially if Freeman goes against whatever they recommend, *and* that inevitably gets out.

Hmmm. Would be interested in hearing some attorneys opine on this development, and the ramifications either way.